ASCI Elections 2022 Executive Board Members Call for Application

Austin Sister Cities International is holding elections in January 2022 to bring committed and energetic individuals to the ASCI Board of Directors for one-year terms. We are seeking candidates to apply for all volunteer board positions. Service on the Board is an excellent opportunity to refine your skills and share your vision with a dynamic group. Learn more here.

Austin Pune Sister City COVID-19 Fundraiser

Pune currently has the largest number of COVID-19 infected cases throughout India (as of early May approx. 885,592 cases). Austin Pune Sister City International (APSCI) team is working with the partner organization, Pune City Connect, in their fight against COVID-19.

Funds raised through this initiative will be used to provide:

1. Critical equipment to the Government Hospitals

2. Food supplies to families in need

3. To enable vaccination roll out

All funds donated via GiveIndia.org fundraiser will be directed to Pune City Connect which is a division of Lighthouse Communities Foundation – a nonprofit entity (beneficiary in this scenario).

DONATE HERE to help reach a goal of $68,000.

Watch Here for a video about Lighthouse Communities and how the funds will be used and Learn More about the Covid-Relief Campaign by Austin Pune Sister City International.

Statement of Solidarity with AAPI Communities

As Austin’s international organization, we promote understanding, friendship, and cooperation with our sister cities and sister countries all over the world. As we mourn with our communities the deaths of eight shooting victims in Atlanta, six of Asian descent, and the ongoing rising violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), we stand in solidarity with our AAPI community and condemn acts of violence, racism and hate.

Austin Sister Cities International is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and will continue to promote peace, respect and mutual understanding within our local communities and sister cities around the world. As global citizens, we must speak up for inclusive, supportive, and equitable communities and speak out against acts of hate, discrimination, and racism.

We believe in people to people relationships and working together everyday to support and uplift the individuals and the diversity that make our communities beautiful.

In solidarity,

Austin Sister Cities International

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Events and Resources

Stop AAPI Hate, https://stopaapihate.org/

A reporting center for anti-Asian hate incidents aggravated by COVID-19.

Integral Care 24/7 Helpline, 512-472-4357, https://integralcare.org/en/home/

Free emotional support in multiple languages.

Stop Asian Hate Rally and Vigil, https://www.facebook.com/events/468713590922426

Saturday, April 17 at 4pm

This event is organized by a team of grassroots organizers in Austin and San Antonio, with the Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs (APAPA) - Austin Chapter.

Austin-Oita Celebrating 30 Year Anniversary

Join AOSCC in the month of April for daily videos related to Japan. 30 Things to Celebrate 30 Years! We had to cancel the summer festival due to the Corona Virus pandemic. We want to bring hope and connection to you and our friends in Oita, Japan through a daily celebration of our special relationship in the month of April.

Daily in the month of April at 7 pm, we are bringing you unique Japan related content. We are broadcasting on all of these platforms daily in April at 7 pm.

Log in to one or all of these platforms - at the same time!
https://www.facebook.com/AustinOita/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSjWWkYEnr0sWRRIymnNjg
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1rmxPAnywDqKN?q=aoscc
https://www.twitch.tv/austinoita/videos

AOSCC’s goal in providing online programming in April is to build bridges of hope.  We also aim to provide education and entertainment to Austin and Oita citizens and a financial boost for local Austin Japan-related artists and businesses.

Thank you to our Sponsors: City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, TEL, First Texas Honda, Best of Austin Living Team at Keller Williams Realty and Bruce Gardner Insurance and Investments.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Statement COVID-19

As Austin’s international organization, we stand with our sister cities and sister countries all over the world.  Our mission to promote international understanding, friendship and cooperation is even more important now when uncertainty affects everyone across the globe.

Austin Sister Cities International has 14 sister cities, at least one on every inhabited continent of the globe, and all of us have been hit hard by the pandemic.  In these difficult times, we want to make it known that ASCI is here to support and uplift our international family. As Citizen Diplomats, we at ASCI believe whole-heartedly in international community and solidarity, which is at the core of our work.  Although international travel isn’t possible right now, we will continue to connect through technology, which is proving to ease our feelings of isolation. However, we cannot wait to gather again in person with our dear friends all over the world and to continue creating new connections that become long-lasting relationships.  

The people of our sister cities and their countries in North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, are facing similar challenges daily during this COVID-19 outbreak.  Life, as we all knew it, has changed, but we will support each other and get through these days together.  

Sincerely, 

Austin Sister Cities International

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AUSTIN CELEBRATES "FRIENDSHIP" WITH 2019 GINGERBREAD VILLAGE

Inspired by the magic of snow globes, this winter Four Seasons Hotel Austin will fill its lobby with dozens of tiny gingerbread scenes representing one of the biggest concepts of them all: friendship.

Scheduled to debut on November 25, 2019, the Hotel’s 2019 Gingerbread Village will feature an Austin cityscape – covered by a giant crystal-clear dome – surrounded by smaller domes that depict the skylines of five of Austin’s sister cities.

“I’ve always been enamoured by the magic that lives within snow globes. I remember as a kid, tipping them left and right, turning them over and watching in wonder as the miniature snowflakes whirled all around,” says Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Pallagi-Naim. “Each year we aim to choose a concept that will appeal to both children and adults, so I love how this year’s theme wraps a beloved holiday symbol into a universal message of friendship.”

The entire display will fill much of the downtown Austin Hotel’s open-concept lobby. At the centre, the six-foot-diameter (1.8 metre) dome will feature such Austin institutions as the Capitol, Franklin Barbecue, Barton Springs Pool, Torchy's Tacos and Lady Bird Lake, among several others.

Smaller three-foot-diameter (one metre) domes will be interspersed throughout, highlighting noteworthy buildings or sights in the selected sister cities, including the Chateau d’Angers in Angers, France; Usa Shrine in Oita, Japan; and the Christmas Market in Koblenz, Germany. Rounding out the display are scenes from Saltillo, Mexico and Adelaide, Australia.

“It was truly difficult to narrow our choices down from Austin’s 14 sister cities, as each one has distinct charms and beautiful architecture. Ultimately it came down to how my team connected with the destination personally and our passion for recreating the buildings in gingerbread,” says Pallagi-Naim.

Though in miniature, Pallagi-Naim estimates the Austin skyline and surrounding structures will take upwards of 100 hours to construct, with each of the sister city domes clocking in at more than 40 hours due to the intricacy required to replicate such unique angles and designs. “Gingerbread villages based on imaginary houses are easy,” laughs Pallagi-Naim. “When you’re trying to recreate well-known structures that are treasures in their respective cities – using completely edible ingredients, no less – there’s a lot more pressure.”

Luckily her pastry team’s hard work isn't without reward as all of the domes will be sold to sponsors, with proceeds donated to People’s Community Clinic, the go-to health clinic for some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens. Since 2005, more than USD 80,000 has been raised for local non-profits through the annual sale of gingerbread houses to individuals and businesses.

Originated in 1956 as a way to strengthen relationships between people from different countries following World War II, the Sister Cities Program began in Austin in 1968 with Saltillo, Mexico. Activities between sister cities usually involve educational exchange programs; economic or trade programs; sharing development ideas; or arts and culture. Learn more about the program and Austin’s designated sister cities here.

On display 24 hours a day from November 25, 2019 through Christmas Day, the Gingerbread Village is a free holiday activity open to both locals and guests. For more information or to inquire about sponsoring a dome, send Four Seasons an email.

Learning from each other: "Deutsche und Amerikaner lernen voneinander

12 ACC Austin students are currently enrolled in the Koblenz “Summer School” focusing on welding techniques facilitated by the Handwerkskammer Koblen and the Austin-Koblenz Sister Cities Committees.